Corneal deterioration

[Jackie636]

My husband was just dx with corneal deterioration, no s/s at his last visit.  Opthamologist suggests it maybe RA, he currently has no other s/s of RA.  He will seeing a rheumatolgist in a few weeks.  Is this likely?  He has CAD (6 stents and a CABG) and is currently taking Plavix, Toprol, ASA, Tricor, Zocor, Fish oil, Imdur, and a multivitamin.  Is it possible it is related to medication?  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Fuchs corneal dystrophy is common and most any Eye MD ophthalmologist can watch it. Most cases do not require treatment. For the ones that are most severe a new operation called DSEAK has dramatically improved the most severe cases that require surgery. I trained at Emory in Atlanta. They are extremely strong in corneal disease.

Glaucoma is a separate problem.

JCH MD

[Perkswoods]

My husband was recently dx with Fuch's Cornea Disease. He was also told he was in early stages of glacoma - taking nightly drops. Do you know of any Fuch's Cornea Disease specialist anywhere near the Carolinas or Georgia?

[Jackie636]

The rheumatologist said that my husband's condition is not related to rheumatoid arthritis.  He will be seeing the opthamologist,which specializes in the cornea, again in October.  He does not seem to be having any other s/s of the possibilities that I have read about.  Can you give us a clue or some possble direction to look?  It would help to relieve some anxiety...

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

We know nothing of the causes of PCD.

JCH MD

[Jackie636]

My husband's cornea specialist is recommended by the aao, he will be seeing a rheumatologist on 8/13.  What causes peripheral cornea degeneration?  Thanks!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I do not know any cornea specilists in those areas but you can find one at www.aao.org  

Generally problems in the cornea in the periphery are called peripheral cornea degenerations

JCH MD

[Jackie636]

My husband was seen by a cornea MD in Delaware for a second opinion.  He confirmed the peripheral deterioration as well as the lower portion of the cornea.  He also is the one who suggested it might be rheumatoid arthritis.  My husband is only 50 yo and does not have any vision problems at this point.  Is there another specialist you could recommend in the Delaware, Maryland, or Pennsylvania region?  Thank you!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

By RA do you mean rheumatoid arthritis?

Corneal deterioration can mean a lot of different things from disease of the outer, inner or middle layer of the corneas. It is very unlikely related to medication. See a corneal Eye MD for a second opinion. The most common corneal deterioration (usually called a dystrophy) is Fuchs Dystrophy.

JCH MD